Flexible and Modular RF System for Space Constrained Decoy Platforms
Abstract
Abstract Decoys are often considered the last defensive countermeasure against incoming radar-guided missiles. Considering ongoing developments in wireless industry, and more specifically, the boom in commercial electronics across the entire microwave spectrum, radar guidance with fast and random frequency hopping across the millimeter wave range is no longer science fiction. From the radio-frequency (RF) perspective, the successful design and development of millimeter wave, and more specifically W-band decoys must demonstrate: ? Components such as antennas (transmit - Tx and receive - Rx), amplifiers, biasing and matching networks, dividers and combiners, interconnects, transitions, etc.; ? High Tx to Rx isolation; ? Low component/subsystem dispersion and signal distortion; ? Small size and weight; ? Heat sinking / thermal control; ? Amenability to seduce and protect beyond W-band; and ? Low cost. The Antenna Research Group (ARG) and Microwave Research Group (MRG) from the University of Colorado Boulder (UCB) propose research, development, and demonstration of a flexible and modular decoy system that operates over W-band and can be easily extended across the millimeter wave spectrum. UCB will subcontract TriQuint Semiconductor (TQS) to fabricate 1W W-band solid state power amplifiers (SSPAs) in their 90-nm gate GaN MMIC process on 50?m thick SiC substrate. When integrated with antennas, these SSPAs will be used to demonstrate the active phase array functionality at W-band to achieve total, spatially combined effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP) of over 1.5kW. In addition to the active phased array based on SSPAs, this research will develop an entire passive components suite needed for integration of a travelling wave tube (TWT) or other waveguide based amplifiers into a W-band decoy. Moreover, new all metal waveguide and related components will be developed to operate over the entire 45GHz to 110GHz range; thus leaving no frequency gaps. To experimentally verify the spatial Tx to Rx isolation and test most of the designed components and subsystems, the UCB team will also design and engineer a model of a repeater-type W-band decoy platform with commercial of the shelf (COTS) amplifiers. This program will support two PhD students and alongside the above stated mission it will result in many journal and conference publications.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 12, 2016
- Source ID
- N000141512111
Entities
People
- Dejan S. Filipovic
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- Regents of the University of Colorado
- United States Navy